What forms are available for appointing a power of attorney in patent applications filed on or after September 16, 2012?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

The USPTO provides several forms for appointing a power of attorney in patent applications filed on or after September 16, 2012. These forms are available on the USPTO website and include:

• PTO/AIA/80: For use by assignees who are either the named applicant or are becoming the applicant.
• PTO/AIA/81: For use by joint inventors who are the applicant to give one or more joint inventor-applicants power of attorney.
• PTO/AIA/82: For use by the applicant for patent to appoint one or more patent practitioners.
• PTO/AIA/81A: For use in appointing a power of attorney in a patent resulting from an application filed on or after September 16, 2012.

Each form has specific uses and requirements. For example, Form PTO/AIA/80 must be accompanied by a statement under 37 CFR 3.73(c) (Form PTO/AIA/96 or equivalent) and must be signed by the named assignee or a person authorized to act on behalf of the assignee.